by Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports

by Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports

Calling himself the "caretaker" for one of the elite teams in college football, new Oregon coach Mark Helfrich said Sunday that his plan for the program will be "99.2 percent in lockstep" with the system put in place Chip Kelly, who left Wednesday for the same position with the Philadelphia Eagles.

"Going forward, we will attack in all phases. We'll embrace innovation," Helfrich said, signaling a continuation of the up-tempo offensive style that defined Oregon's wildly successful four-year run under Kelly.

Helfrich spent the last four seasons as Oregon's offensive coordinator and quarterback coach after three years (2006-8) in the same position at Colorado. He also served as the quarterbacks coach at Arizona State (2001-5) and Boise State (1998-2000).

He inherits a program that went 46-7 under Kelly, winning three conference championships in a row from 2009-11 and participating in four BCS bowls, including the 2011 national championship game. Oregon joined USC as the only Pac-12 schools to win three conference titles in a row since Arizona and Arizona State joined the league in 1978.

The Ducks finished in the top five nationally in total offense in each of the last three years, leading the country in yards per game in 2011. Behind Helfrich and Kelly, Oregon's offense also ranked among the top eight nationally in scoring in each of the last four seasons.

"We were looking for a coach who exemplified excellence, leadership and character, and who would embrace what our winning football culture is all about. We found that person in Mark Helfrich," said Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens.

"He has been vitally important to our success here the past four years. He is man devoted to his family, his players, his university and community. I'm excited to see Mark lead the Ducks to even greater heights."

While it was not the main goal of Oregon's search, Mullens called the continuity Helfrich provides the program a clear "bonus." Helfrich is the third Oregon coach in a row to be hired from within the staff, joining Kelly and Mike Bellotti, who led the Ducks from 1995-2008.

"The fact that he's got deep roots in Oregon is a bonus," Mullens said. "But it was not the driving factor. We wanted an outstanding leader to continue the tradition of Oregon football.

"Continuity has a played a role in our success. Again, it's a nice bonus."

Helfrich is the first native Oregonian â?? he was born in Medford, Ore., and attended Marshfield High School in Coos Bay â?? to serve as the Ducks' coach since John Warren in 1942.

"Coaching at Oregon is the pinnacle for me," said Helfrich, whose father, Mike, was an offensive linemen for the Ducks in the early 1960s.

"It's an honor to be chosen as the caretaker of Oregon football. The job is certainly bigger than any one person."